Inflatable ornament

ABSTRACT

The inflatable ornament has a base, a connecting element and a body. The base has a top, a bottom, a blower and multiple supports. The blower is attached to top of the base. The supports are formed on the bottom of the base to keep the base from having to be attached to the ground. The connecting element is transparent and connects to and forms seals around the base and an opening in the body. The body is formed a specific shape. The blower is started to fill the connecting element and the body continuously with air. Because the connecting element is transparent, the body looks like it is floating in the air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an inflatable ornament, especially toan inflatable ornament that floats in the air.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

Inflatable ornaments are used in department stores, shopping malls andexpositions to attract a crowd and are usually used only for a limitedperiod of time. Conventional inflatable ornaments can be divided intotwo categories, sealed and open inflatable ornaments.

The sealed inflatable ornament is filled with a gas and floats in theair, but is used only for a short period of time so the material isusually cheap. Consequently, air will gradually leak out of the sealedinflatable ornament, and the sealed inflatable ornament will shrinkgradually and lose its buoyancy.

The open inflatable ornament has air continuously pumped into theornament with a blower so the ornament will hold its shape. Air alsoleaks out of the open inflatable ornament, but the blower constantlyreplenishes the air in the open inflatable ornament, and the enduringinflatable ornament will keep its shape. However, the blower must beattached to the open inflatable ornament and blows ambient air into theopen inflatable ornament so the open inflatable ornament will not floatin the air. Therefore the open inflatable ornament is not as visible asthe floating closed inflatable ornament.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides aninflatable ornament to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatableornament that can float and be used for a long time.

The inflatable ornament in accordance with the present inventioncomprises a base, a connecting element and a body. The base has a top, abottom, a blower and multiple supports. The blower is attached to thetop of the base. The supports are formed on the bottom of the base tokeep the base from having to be attached to the ground. The connectingelement is transparent and connects and seals the base and the body. Thebody is formed in virtually any shape. The blower blows air into theconnecting element and the body continually. Because the connectingelement is transparent, the body looks like it is floating in the air.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable ornament in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view in partial section of the base of theinflatable ornament in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, an inflatable ornament in accordance with thepresent invention comprises a base (1), a connecting element (3) and abody (2).

With further reference to FIG. 2, the base (1) has a top, a bottom, anouter edge, an opening (12), a blower (11) and multiple supports (13).The opening (12) is formed through the top and the bottom of the base(1). The blower (11) is attached to the top of the base (1) and has atop, a bottom, an air inlet (111) and an air outlet (112). The air inlet(111) is formed in the bottom of the blower (11) and corresponds to theopening (12) in the base (1). The air outlet (112) is formed in the topof the blower (11). The supports (13) are formed on and extend out fromthe bottom of the base (1).

The connecting element (3) is hollow and transparent, is attached to thebase (1) and has an upper opening (31) and a lower opening (32). Thelower opening (32) is attached to and forms a seal around the outer edgeof the base (1).

The body (2) is a specific shape, optionally pervious to light, hollowand has an opening (21) and an optional light-emitting element. Theshape may be a person, an animal, a cartoon personage, a logo orvirtually any three-dimensional shape. The opening (21) corresponds to,is attached to and forms a seal on the upper opening (31) of theconnecting element (3). The light-emitting element is mounted in thebody (2) and emits light that makes the body (2) visible at night, whichmakes the inflatable ornament much more attractive and noticeable.

Because the supports (13) hold the base (1) stably in position,attaching the bottom of the base (1) to the ground is unnecessary.

When the inflatable ornament is used, the blower (11) is started. Airgoes from the air inlet (111) to the air outlet (112) of the blower(11), passes through the connecting element (3) and fills the body (2).The body (2) and the connecting element (3) are filled with the aircontinuously, and the shape of the body (2) is maintained.

The inflatable ornament as described has numerous advantages. The blower(11) will keep the inflatable ornament filled with air indefinitely.Because the connecting element (3) is transparent, the inflatableornament looks like it is floating in the air. Therefore the inflatableornament is both attractive and will last for a long time.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the presentinvention have been set forth in the foregoing description, togetherwith details of the structure and features of the invention, thedisclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details,especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts withinthe principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed.

1. An inflatable ornament comprising a base having a top; a bottom; anouter edge; an opening formed through the top and the bottom of thebase; a blower attached to the top of the base and having a top; abottom; an air inlet formed in the bottom of the blower andcorresponding to the opening in the base; and an air outlet formed inthe top of the blower; multiple supports formed on and extending outfrom the bottom of the base; a connecting element being hollow andtransparent, attached to the base and having an upper opening; and alower opening attached to and forming a seal around the outer edge ofthe base; and a body being a specific shape and having an openingcorresponding to and forming a seal around the upper opening of theconnecting element.
 2. The inflatable ornament as claimed in claim 1,wherein the body is pervious to light.